2012 Tour de France Squads Announced

With the 2012 [W:Tour de France] being just over a week away,?teams are naming their squads to tackle the worlds most gruelling stage race. Stay tuned to this page over the coming days as squads are announced & tension builds! Stijn Vandenbergh, was one of the nine riders originally selected to compete in the 2012 Tour de France for Omega Pharma – Quick Step, has been replaced by Martin Velits. The Belgian rider selected for La Grande Boucle is suffering from a saddle sore. “I had this problem in the last 10 days, and it was almost solved,” Vandenbergh said. “But Sunday’s national championship exacerbated the problem. Together with the medical staff of the team, we decided not to take risks. This is why I will not participate in the Tour. I am really sad, but I think there are no other solutions. I have to think also about the team. I don’t want to start, not knowing how I would be during the race. The Tour is a demanding race, and you need nine riders completely ready and healthy for the fight. I hope the guys will have a great Tour de France, and that they can fight for prestigious results.” Vandenbergh will be replaced by Martin Velits at his first Tour de France experience. “It is a shame for Vandenbergh” Velits says. “I can imagine how he is feeling now. I know how difficult it is to train and be ready for a race and then be forced to not participate because of an injury. That is why I will give it all for the team and for him at the next Tour. I am ready, am in good condition and am really looking forward to my first Tour de France.” An International?team for Lampre-ISD will take part in Tour de France (30 June-22 July): the nine blue-fuchsia cyclists are from six Countries (Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Australia and Ukraine-France). These are the nine athletes: Grega Bole, [W:Danilo Hondo], Yuriy Krivtsov, [W:Matthew Lloyd], Marco Marzano, [W:Alessandro Petacchi], [W:Michele Scarponi], Simone Stortoni and Davide Vigan?. The mix of Ukraine and France is due to Yuriy Krivtsov, who was born in Pervomaisk (Ukraine), but has a French passport. In the staff of general manager Saronni there will be sport directors Fabrizio Bontempi and Maurizio Piovani, technical director Roberto Damiani, doctor Beltemacchi, masseurs Bertolone, Bolzonaro, Borgognoni, Capelli and Napolitano, mechanics Baron, Pengo and Roman?, driver Bozzolo and press office responsibles Appiani and Carlo Saronni. The team will be characterized by two groups, one concerning the fast wheels (Petacchi and Bole could aim to top results in the sprints), the other one ready to be competitive on the climbs, with Scarponi who’ll try to be protagonist in the most demanding stages. Some statistical data: the average age of the team in Tour de France will be 31 years old (the oldest Petacchi, 38 years old; the youngest Bole, 26 years old); the average height os 177 cm (Hondo the tallest, 186 cm; the shorter Stortoni, 169 cm); only Petacchi won stages in Tour de France. Movistar Team are in good spirits after the 22 victories conquered up to date -one more than in the entire 2011 season- and the ambition to keep earning protagonism in their already brilliant 2012, Movistar Team will take part from Saturday in the Tour de France. It will be the Blues’ 30th appearance at the Grande Boucle (they have participated every year since 1983) of the squad directed by Eusebio Unzu?, which will bring the following 9-man squad for the 99th edition of the French event: [W:Alejandro Valverde], Juanjo Cobo, Jos? Joaqu?n Rojas, Rub?n Plaza, Vasil Kiryienka, Iv?n Guti?rrez, Imanol Erviti, Vladimir Karpets and Rui Costa. ?I think it’s a highly talented squad,”?commented Unzu?. “All of them already know the Tour and are real experts in Grand Tours, but the most important thing is that they all come in perfect condition to the start. It was difficult to rule Arroyo out, but it was just the same in the Giro when we left Quintana out of our selection. It’s sad, because he was strong too, but only nine riders can make it.” ?Last year we went for stage victories, but this season, having Alejandro must make us more ambitious,” conceeded the Spanish coach. “We’ve got a team full of allrounders around him and, despite having spent three years without riding a GT, with the lack of knowledge about his chances that means, he’s in great condition to be our leader and we’re convinced he can fight for a podium place. It’s obvious that, should we have been able to choose the route, we’d have preferred this Tour to have less kilometers of time trial, because riders like Wiggins, Evans or Menchov can make a massive impact, too difficult to be bounced back, but sometimes the Tour becomes an illogical race, and apart from Valverde, there are some more riders able to make the final podium. All those riders have to chase for their chances and avoid the gap by those 110 kilometers of TT’s.” The big season made by the squad up to date is another incentive to shine on French soil, according to Movistar Team’s general manager: ?We come here with much less pressure than the one you have when things go wrong. We’re doing a splendid season so far, and those 22 victories keep us calm and must be an encouragement in order to keep earning success. Apart from Alejandro, we have strong riders like Cobo, back in a GT after winning in the Vuelta into a race he really loves. I think he’s coming in good form and I expect him to do a good Tour and build on a good base to defend his title in the Vuelta later. Also, riders like Rui Costa or Rojas, which we musn’t charge with responsibility more than what they deserve, but progressing every single year and gaining importance inside the squad. They give us much security because both are young, yet experienced and talented, and alongside others like Kiryienka, Plaza, Karpets, Iv?n or Erviti, I’m sure we will be protagonists again in this Tour.”

Team owner Bjarne Riis and the sports management of Team Saxo Bank have named the nine riders who will represent the Danish based World Tour team in this year’s Tour de France. The line up is: – Juan Jos? Haedo (Argentina) – Jonathan Cantwell (Australia) – Nick Nuyens (Belgium) – Chris Anker S?rensen (Denmark) – Nicki S?rensen (Denmark) – Michael M?rk?v (Denmark) – Anders Lund (Denmark) – Karsten Kroon (Holland) – Sergio Paulinho (Portugal)

“We are entering this year’s Tour de France with our eyes set on stage wins and with the aim to make an impact on the race, and I’m convinced that this is possible. We have tried to put together a group of riders that will enable us to open up possibilities, and I believe we have found a great mix of experience, aggressiveness and different competencies,” team owner [W:Bjarne Riis] says. “We will bring JJ for the sprints, and we have some trusted helpers around him. In Chris we have a rider with the potential to really influence the mountain stages and maybe he is even a guy to watch for the mountain jersey. And lead by Nick and Nicki we field a group of riders with both power and flair to go in breakaways.” “Of course this is a very different job waiting for us this year without a designated GC rider. But I see this as an exciting challenge and a possibility to take some risks that would have been practically impossible under other circumstances. I actually have a really good feeling about the Tour, and I don’t think it would be wise to underestimate our team,” Bjarne Riis continues. Team Sky have confirmed their squad for the 99th edition of the Tour de France, which commences in Li?ge on Saturday 30 June. Bradley Wiggins will lead the team after his consecutive victories at Paris-Nice, Tour of Romandie and Crit?rium du Dauphin?, and will be joined by Edvald Boasson Hagen, Mark Cavendish, Bernhard Eisel, Chris Froome, Christian Knees, Richie Porte, Michael Rogers and Kanstantsin Siutsou.

The 2012 edition will be Bradley Wiggins? sixth Tour appearance and he goes into the event in the form of his life having clinched podium places in every single stage race he has completed over the last 12 months. World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish rides his first Tour de France for Team Sky and has the honour of being the first Briton in 46 years to wear the fabled rainbow jersey in cycling?s biggest bike race. The Manxman is also looking to defend the points classification title he secured in last year?s event and is aiming to add to his remarkable tally of 20 Tour stage victories which have put him joint-sixth on the list of all-time stage winners. Edvald Boasson Hagen will be Cavendish?s key lead out man and also offer support to Wiggins when the race hits the mountains. If the opportunity arises, Boasson Hagen is highly capable of going for stage victories himself, as demonstrated in 2011 when he sprinted to victory in Lisieux and then produced a triumphant solo attack as the race dropped into Pinerolo. 2011 Vuelta a Espa?a runner up Chris Froome, Volta ao Algarve winner [W:Richie Porte], and three-time World Time Trial champion Michael Rogers will be Wiggins? biggest allies on the most testing stages while Christian Knees and Kanstantsin Siutsou will be his wingmen during the flatter sections of the race. Bernhard Eisel brings his invaluable experience to the squad and his all-round capabilities will prove a huge asset to the team. Team Principal Dave Brailsford said: ?Deciding our final nine was a very tough challenge because we are blessed with a great depth of talent in our squad. We believe we have picked a strong and balanced team though, and one which can cater for any eventuality. ?Our priority this year is the General Classification with Bradley but that doesn?t mean we?ll neglect the sprint stages, or Mark?s bid for green jersey. ?Chris, Mick, and Richie are among our strongest climbers and will all be there to support Bradley in the mountains, but then we?ve got riders like Christian and Kosta who have strong engines on the flats, and versatile riders like Edvald and Bernhard who can support Mark in the sprints. ?This squad is truly world class with a proven pedigree of success. They have trained, raced and lived together since the start of the season and that has moulded them into a well-oiled, focused and close-knit team. ?They are all full of confidence after their recent run of results and it?s going to be exciting to see how the race transpires.? [W:Bradley Wiggins] said: ?I?m really proud to be part of such a strong unit going into the Tour de France. The team?s preparation has been perfectly managed and our form this season gives us a great chance of being successful. ?I?ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and I?ll do everything I can to win the Tour de France. Hopefully we can do the business for ourselves and our fans, and become the most successful British-based cycling team ever.? [W:Mark Cavendish] said: “It’s a dream to ride for a team that holds so much British interest and has a chance to win the yellow jersey. ?I know the push for the GC podium will make it more difficult for me to repeat the success I’ve enjoyed the last few years. But I’ll compete and – as always – I’ll dedicate myself to making it a successful Tour for Team Sky and, let’s hope, for Britain.? [W:Edvald Boasson Hagen] said: ?I?m really looking forward to riding the Tour. It?s the biggest race of the year and we have entered a very strong team, so it?s going to be great to be part of. ?Bradley is a fantastic leader and we all have faith in him to produce a really strong ride. It?s the same for Cav, he?s the best sprinter in the world and my role will be helping them both out as much as I can. ?If I get the opportunity to go for stage victories myself, I?ll definitely try to take them, but I have a role in the team to fulfil and anything other than that will be a bonus.? The Tour of France line-up of team Vacansoleil-DCM shows five different nationalities. With Kenny van Hummel (29), Johnny Hoogerland (29), Wout Poels (24), Rob Ruijgh (25) and brand new national time trial champion Lieuwe Westra (29) is the major part of course Dutch. Manager Daan Luijkx announced the nine names today during a press conference in the stadium of NAC Breda FC. Belgian Kris Boeckmans (25) will make his debut in the Tour of France in the shirt of Vacansoleil-DCM. The squad will be completed by Swedish Gustav Larsson (31), Italian Marco Marcato (28) and Spanish Rafael Valls (25), who extended his contract with the Dutch side with one year. To be well prepared in July five of the riders were in France for a reconnaissance of the key stages, last May. ?We?ve done another step forward?, says sports director Hilaire Van der Schueren. ?That?s why our line-up is a little bit different in comparison with last year. During the Tour we would like to show our next improvement. The classifications and jerseys are not our main goals. We want to win a stage again, like we did in the Giro d?Italia and earlier in the Vuelta.? Operational manager Jean-Paul van Poppel agree with him. ?We want to improve every time. You should never be satisfied, that?s our secret?, Van Poppel says. For that reason the nine times stage winner of the Tour will analyze every single stage prior to the riders. However not as in the past by bike, but by car? Managers: Daan Luijkx and Jean-Paul van Poppel. Sport directors: Hilaire Van der Schueren and Michel Cornelisse. Omega Pharma ? Quick-Step Cycling Team has officially announced the squad that will take part in the 2012 Tour de France. ?We will be at the starting line with a competitive formation? Team Manager Patrick Lefevere said. ?Leipheimer has recently shown that he is enjoying a period of crescendo in the Tour de Suisse, as is Peter Velits. By their side on the major climbs we will see Kevin De Weert, one of the best riders in the last editions of the Grande Boucle. In the time trials we can count on Levi and the undeniable skills of Tony Martin, who will be in his element with more than 100 kilometers on the schedule. Same goes for Bert Grabsch, a fantastic time trial performer, who, together with Stijn Vandenbergh, will be tasked with keeping the squad together on the flat stages. For the individual stages we will have high caliber athletes like [W:Sylvain Chavanel], a natural attacker who has already twice won the prize for most combative rider while making our jersey stand out on the roads of the 2010 Tour; as well as Dries Devenyns, riding in the third Tour de France of his career. We will also see Jerome Pineau at the start line, an athlete who really knows how to play his cards, as well as how to be a perfect team player when the occasion calls for it. Overall, the formation is well balanced and they will be able to stand out in the individual stages as well as in the general classification.” Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) Kevin De Weert (BEL) Dries Devenyns (BEL) Bert Grabsch (GER) [W:Levi Leipheimer] (USA) Tony Martin (GER) Jerome Pineau (FRA) Stijn Vandenbergh (BEL) Peter Velits (SVK) Katusha Team decided the roster that will take part to one of the most important UCI World Tour event of the whole cycling season: the 99th edition of “Tour de France”, the most prestigious of the three “Grand Tours”. The Russian team, leaded by the Sport Directors Valerio Piva, Dmitry Konyshev and Torsten Schmidt, will have the following roster: Giampaolo Caruso, Oscar Freire, Vladimir Gusev, Joan Horrach, Aliaksandr Kuchynski, Denis Menchov, Luca Paolini, Yuriy Trofimov, Eduard Vorganov. So, two great champions will try to take great results for Katusha: Freire will have the leadership in sprinter’s stages; and, obviously, Menchov is bound to be the overall standing man. “It’s a huge responsibility that gives me high motivations – said the Russian rider – it will be my first big stage race with the team of my country, so I’ll give my best in order to win. Moreover, ‘Tour de France’ is the only competition between the ‘Grand Tours’ that I still hadn’t won: it’s not a secret that this year it was my main goal, it would be the crowning achievement of my career, so that’s why I look forward to start. The team is great: we selected the riders very carefully, I talked a lot with the Sport Directors, so I think that’s the best possible team having in mind our shape and the profile of the competition. We have good domestique’s, and Freire during this season proved to be in a good shape. I’m very satisfied with the final roster, and I’m sure we will obtain some great results”. Great results that Katusha has already obtained during ‘Giro d’Italia’, when the leader Joaquim Rodriguez went very close to the final win after ten days with the pink jersey. “Tour de France 2012” will start on June 30th in Liege, and will end after 3479 kilometers in Champs Elysees, as traditional. Lotto Belisol has revealed his selection for the upcoming Tour de France. The selection: Lars Bak, Francis De Greef, Andr? Greipel, Adam Hansen, Greg Henderson, J?rgen Roelandts, Marcel Sieberg, Jurgen Van den Broeck, Jelle Vanendert. Reserve: Jurgen Van de Walle. Sportive Manager Marc Sergeant: ?We ?ve put our nine names for the Tour on paper. I think I might say we have a balanced and homogeneous selection of riders who already proved the to be ready at the right moment and who can manage on different terrains.? ?Obviously we had to make some decisions, but every year that?s the case. Francis De Greef had a good Giro, is very solid and can go a long way in the mountains. After the Giro we decided not enter him at the Dauphin? or Tour of Switzerland, because the preparation would have been too hard. Adam Hansen also proved in the last week of the Giro being to able to climb and being in shape at the right time.? ?The ones who are not selected, obviously are disappointed. Frederik Willems wanted to go, but realized that he is not at his best right now. Jurgen Van de Walle has grown in the Dauphin? Lib?r? and is our reserve. Bart De Clercq had found his climbers? legs in the Tour of Switzerland, but it?s one year too early for Bart.? ?It?s a big advantage that our riders go to the Tour with clear goals. With our team, and especially with Jurgen Van den Broeck, we aim for the best general ranking possible. Next to that, there are a couple of stages in which Jelle Vanendert can have a go. Andr? Greipel worked his way up to the Tour and supported by Greg Henderson, J?rgen Roelandts and Marcel Sieberg, he gets the great sprinting train who showed its skills during the last weeks. Riders like Roelandts, Bak and Hansen also might have a chance in the transit stages.? RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK?s line-up for the Tour de France 2012 (June 30 ? July 22). The nine riders are: Fabian Cancellara Tony Gallopin Chris Horner Andreas Kl?den Maxime Monfort Yaroslav Popovych Fr?nk Schleck Jens Voigt Haimar Zubeldia Team Directors Alain Gallopin and Dirk Demol will direct the team.